Myra Margaret Hansen VanLeuven Obituary (1936

Myra Margaret Hansen VanLeuven was born December 31, 1936, to Henry Daniel Hansen and May Adrian Petersen Hansen in Delta, Utah. Margaret died peacefully in her sleep on August 5, 2024, surrounded by the love of her family. Margaret graduated from Delta High School and then continued her education at Brigham Young University where she majored in Elementary Education. She also earned a Master’s Degree in Linguistics from BYU. After attaining her education, she served a full-time, proselytizing mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Northern Mexico Mission. Upon returning, Margaret taught elementary school in California, Arizona and Utah for nearly a decade before she married. Margaret met the love of her life, Carl L VanLeuven while he was dating her roommate. It took some convincing, but Carl, who was several years her junior, finally decided that he and Margaret were meant to be together. They were sealed in the Provo Utah Temple on May 26, 1972. Immediately following their marriage, Carl and Margaret moved to Kansas, where Carl earned a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education. A year into their marriage, Carl and Margaret welcomed twin daughters, Stephanie Rachel and Margaret Lisa. The following year, the young family returned to Provo where Carl and Margaret have lived ever since. After their move to Utah, three additional daughters, Janette Ruth, Kristin Laura, and Kimberly Mischel were born in rapid succession and completed the family. Within the first five years of marriage, Carl and Margaret had five children and a mortgage, but times were happy and love abounded in the VanLeuven family. Margaret frequently said that since she married later in life, she would not wait to have children. She wanted to get her family here as soon as possible, and that was one mission she was determined to accomplish. Perhaps Margaret was most proud of her five granddaughters, seven grandsons, and one great-grandson. Once Margaret’s children were of school age, she returned to full-time teaching at Timpanogos Elementary in Provo, where her children were also enrolled. Margaret taught fifth grade for an additional fifteen years before retiring. After retirement, Margaret enjoyed spending time with family, reading, doing crossword puzzles, connecting with friends and family, and most importantly, serving as an ordinance worker in the Provo Utah Temple. Throughout her life, Margaret served faithfully in many callings in the Church including as a missionary, temple worker, and as a teacher in the Primary, Sunday School, Relief Society, and Institute auxiliaries. Margaret is preceded in death by her five sisters, four brothers, and parents. As the last surviving member of her immediate family, there is a grand family reunion with her mother, father, and siblings on the other side. Margaret is survived by her beloved husband, Carl, her daughters, Stephanie Haddock (Todd), Lisa Garrett (Ethan), Janette McEntire (Bentley), Kristin Winslow (Ian), and Kimberly VanLeuven, as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchild. We remember Margaret most for her kindness, selflessness, wisdom, compassion, generosity, and Christ-like love. She was a true example of a disciple of Jesus Christ. At this time, the family would like to thank Margaret’s youngest daughter, Kimberly, who dedicated herself to meeting the physical needs of her mother during the final months of life. The family is eternally grateful to Kim for her selfless love and service. For years, both Carl and Margaret dedicated time and money to support the Missionary Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Church’s Missionary Fund in Margaret VanLeuven’s honor. https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/missionary/ A graveside service will be held at the Provo Cemetery on Monday, August 12th for family only. An open house will follow from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. at the LDS church located at 1122 Grand Avenue in Provo. Light refreshments will be served. Anyone wishing to pay their respects is invited. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bergmortuary.com.